Child care providers across Indiana can now apply for funding to help grow their business.

The Closing the Gap report from Early Learning Indiana looks at several factors to calculate communities' early learning resources, including how many seats are available, quality of programs, affordability and how many options families have.

The number of Indiana students enrolled in programs for disabilities declined this school year, the first dip in at least four years and the latest sign of the disruption caused by the pandemic. About 14,000 preschoolers had diagnosed disabilities, down more than 11%.

The grant would support a statewide needs assessment, to better illustrate Indiana's pre-K and early learning landscape.

Early Learning Indiana reports that communication between early learning and elementary schools could help teachers improve use of time in the classroom.

A report released Wednesday ranks Indiana's state funded preschool program as one of the worst in country.

A Senate Committee slashed funding Wednesday from a House bill that sought to double the state's preschool pilot program.

When the General Assembly convenes for the 2017 legislative session, expanding state funded pre-K will be a top priority.

State tax revenue growth is about $75 million below projections for the fiscal year that started July 1.

The decision by the board, endorses a different type of expanded preschool than the version proposed by outgoing state superintendent Glenda Ritz.